J.K. Rowling defended her choice to cast Johnny Depp in her upcoming film despite domestic abuse allegations, in a statement published Thursday.
Rowling, the author of the “Harry Potter” series, defended her decision to cast Depp as Grindelwald in the upcoming “The Crimes of Grindelwald” despite domestic abuse allegations by ex-wife Amber Heard, according to a statement on Rowling’s website.
“Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies,” said Rowling.
Rowling then praised Depp saying, “When Johnny Depp was cast as Grindelwald, I thought he’d be wonderful in the role. However, around the time of filming his cameo in the first movie, stories had appeared in the press that deeply concerned me and everyone most closely involved in the franchise.” Rowling added that both her and director David Yates considered recasting Depp.
Hey @jk_rowling I’m curious, do you still feel “happy” with Johnny Depp even when looking at these photos or any other evidence that Amber Heard provided? I guess the pay-check overrides any shred of conscience you had left. pic.twitter.com/aB2ohqGO9M
— Eleanor Alice Ring (@eleanoraring) December 7, 2017
“None of us involved in Fantastic Beasts would ever let our appreciation of talent obscure other, far more important considerations,” said director David Yates and producer David Heyman in a statement, according to Cosmopolitan magazine.
Depp was accused by ex-wife of Amber Heard of being “verbally and physically abusive” and was granted a restraining order against him in May 2016, reported Buzzfeed. Heard said that Depp paid her $7 million in a settlement, in an interview with Allure Magazine published Nov. 14.
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